Share This Story!

Merion's wicker baskets provide a challenge

Among the many charming qualities of the magical, intimate Merion Golf Club are the bright red wicker baskets that rest atop the flag sticks and are the official symbol of the club on Ardmore, Pa. They will be

The origin of the baskets remains a mystery, but one story involves Hugh Wilson, the designer of the East Course in Ardmore, Pa. Wilson, a fine player, had never designed a course so he took a seven-month trip to Scotland and England. One day, he came upon sheep herders and their flocks and noticed the staffs the herders held all had wicker baskets at one end. Further investigation revealed that the herders kept their lunch in the wicker baskets as a convenience — and to keep their food away from animals.

Wilson liked the idea for the top of his flag sticks at the course he had yet to build. The look is unique, the maker of the baskets unknown (the club tightly guards that secret) and the impact will be measured on windy days.

"The most interesting aspect of Merion is the wicker basket flags," said Peter Jacobson, who played in the 1981 U.S. Open, the last time Merion hosted, and is now an NBC golf analyst. "I was surprised and excited to see that, but also disappointed because you can't really see the direction that the wind is blowing. And on a tight golf course like Merion, you need to know where the wind is coming from."

The wicker baskets — which are removed at the end of each day to thwart any theft — set atop heavy metal flag sticks, so they won't give off any indication of wind, either. And with players being creatures of habit, doing the same thing over and over again such as checking the flag atop the flag stick to sense the wind strength and direction, it could throw off many players.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Tiger Woods has won 80 times on the PGA Tour, one short of the all-time record held by Sam Snead. Here, on June 15, 2008, Woods makes a birdie on the 18th green to force an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Woods won that playoff the next day for his 65th victory and 14th major. Now, take a look back at all 80 of Woods' victories. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Victory No. 35: 2003 Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego.Feb. 13-16, 2003. (Woods watches Phil Mickelson putt on the ninth green in the final round. Mickelson was part of the chase pack that day.) Tom Kurtz, AFP

Victory No. 51: 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. Aug. 17-20, 2006. (Woods with Phil Mickelson, one of his playing partners for the first two rounds.) Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Victory No. 58: 2007 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Aug. 2-5, 2007 (Here, Woods for his ball in the crook of the folded arm of spectator Rudy Wittensoldner on the ninth green during the final round. Woods got a free drop and made par.) Amy Sancetta, AP

"A lot of players do look at the flag as a last resort, but for me, the baskets give me targets to shoot at," said Rickie Fowler, who played on the victorious U.S. team in the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion. "But coming down the stretch, if you're in the thick of the tournament, it could be different. You're so used to seeing a flag and getting that last amount of information, so it might be a challenge for some."

It adds an extra challenge for the caddies, too, especially on holes where there are few trees to help gauge the wind.

"It's obviously different. It will be fun. But as a caddie, I won't say it's more difficult but we do use the flags to determine where the wind is up around the greens. It's a hindrance but I think it's neat and cool," said Joe LaCava, the bagman for world No. 1 Tiger Woods. "We'll have to use the trees a little bit more, the wind charts, throwing up a lot of grass. We'll do a lot of things, but at the same time I like to think we'll get it figured out."

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., will host the U.S. Open June 13-16. Merion, which will play at 6,996 yards will be the shortest host course since 2001. Here, is a look at the U.S. Open trophy, and a flagstick, which has a wicker basket on top, not a flag. Matt Slocum, AP